May 21, 2009

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak is a children's picture book originally published by Harper & Row. The book is about the imaginary adventures of a young boy named Max, who is punished for making mischief by being sent to his room without supper. Max wears a distinctive wolf suit during his adventures and encounters various mythical creatures, the "wild things". Although just ten sentences long, the book is generally regarded as a masterpiece of American illustrated children's literature.

Originally the Wild Things did not have names. They were later named after (and are presumably caricatures of) Sendak’s aunts and uncles (except “Goat Boy”, of course): Aaron, Bernard, Emil, Moishe and Sipi.

A live-action movie version is currently in post-production, with Spike Jonze directing, due in theaters on October 16, 2009. Featuring Catherine Keener, and introducing Max Records as Max, the film also has Lauren Ambrose, Chris Cooper, James Gandolfini, Catherine O'Hara and Forest Whitaker providing the voices of some of the Wild Things. Adapted by Dave Eggers and Spike Jonze.

Download the PDF file here and make your own "wild thing"! You can also get the blank template from our Facebook group and design your own toy!